Newark Street Renamed After Late Essex County Undersheriff

By REBECCA PANICO

July 10, 2018 at 1:00 PM

Gerald Ryan, second from right in the front row, stands with law enforcement and local government officials at a ceremony renaming a street after his brother, Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. Gerald Ryan, second from right in the front row, stands with law enforcement and local government ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

The road in front of Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark was renamed to the namesake of late Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. The road in front of Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark was renamed to the namesake ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after the late Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. State Sen. Teresa Ruiz speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

The road in front of Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark was renamed to the namesake of late Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. July 9, 2018. The road in front of Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark was renamed to the namesake ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

State, local and law enforcement officials attended a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after the late county Undersheriff Kevin Ryan.State, local and law enforcement officials attended a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

Essex County Democratic Committee Chair LeRoy Jones speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a street in front of Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart after Undersheriff Kevin Ryan. Essex County Democratic Committee Chair LeRoy Jones speaks at a ceremony renaming a portion of a ...Credits: Rebecca Panico

Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan often worked security at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, his brother said. A portion of Victoria Avenue in front of that church today was renamed to Kevin J. Ryan Way in honor of his service.

“It’s a fitting tribute to someone who dedicated his life to the county,” said his brother, Gerald Ryan, after helping unveil the new street sign. “This was his life, with the cathedral and the sheriff’s department.”

Ryan, 49, died June 20 while off-duty, a sheriff’s spokesman previously said. He worked in the sheriff's department for about 25 years and had a brief stint in the state Assembly, where he represented parts of Essex County.

Law enforcement, state and local officials today remembered Ryan at a small ceremony in front of the Cathedral Basilica. Ryan’s funeral services were previously held at the church, where he was also posthumously named chief.

The street dedication was sponsored by North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., who called Ryan a friend.

"I proud to sponsor today's street dedication," Ramos said. "Kevin was best known for his service to the Sheriff's Department, but he was equally as committed to the Basilica. As I drive along Clifton Avenue, I will forever be reminded of my friend Kevin and his kindness to others and commitment to service."

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said Ryan and he would often communicate late at night or early in the morning when “crazy things would happen.”

“Too many to speak of one,” Fontoura said when asked what his fondest memory of Ryan was. “He was just a terrific guy.”

Ryan was known as the "go-to person in times of emergency and crisis," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVencenzo, Jr. previously said in a statement. The county executive also submitted an ordinance to the freeholder board to consider renaming the Sheriff’s Patrol Building on Market Street after Ryan.

Ryan most recently worked as a supervisor for the Field Operations Division, which includes the Patrol Division, Bureau of Narcotics, bomb squad, K-9 Unit and Emergency Management.

The late undersheriff also worked on task forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and supervised a protection detail for Pope John Paul II and several presidents.

Ryan was also honored as a Knight of the Equestrian Order by Pope Francis in 2016.

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